Project Runway: The Path to Delivery Excellence with Michelle Boyd

In this episode of Polaris, Chris McNulty and Michelle Boyd discuss the importance of delivery excellence in project management. They explore the definitions of projects and delivery management, common misconceptions, and the significance of methodologies like Agile and Waterfall. The conversation highlights the role of kickoff meetings, tools, and templates in ensuring successful project delivery, as well as strategies for rescuing troubled projects. They also touch on the impact of technology and AI on project management and share insights from successful deliveries.

Takeaways

• Delivery excellence is crucial for organizations.
• A project is defined as a temporary endeavor with specific objectives.
• Miscommunication is often the root cause of project failures.
• Kickoff meetings are essential for aligning expectations and success criteria.
• Agile methodologies are not always the best fit for every project.
• Technology can enhance project management but is not a panacea.

Sound Bites

• "Projects are more about people than processes."
• "Flexibility within a framework is the true essence of effective project management."
• "Technology should be an enabler, not a dictator, of project success."

References

The Rise of Agile Methodologies in Non-Software Industries:

According to a recent report by the Project Management Institute (PMI), organizations that prioritize delivery management are 30% more likely to meet their project goals and stay within budget. This highlights the critical role of delivery management in achieving project success. Source: Pulse of the Profession | PMI

Agile methodologies, traditionally used in software development, are now being adopted by various industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and construction. A study by McKinsey & Company found that 75% of organizations in these sectors have implemented agile practices to improve efficiency and adaptability. Source: 17 Agile Statistics You Need to Know in 2025

The Impact of AI and Automation on Project Management:

The integration of AI and automation tools in project management is transforming the way projects are planned, executed, and monitored. Gartner predicted that by 2025, AI will automate 80% of project management tasks, leading to increased productivity and reduced human error. [They now say it wil late until 2023.] Source: AI in project management: A no hype guide for teams

Events

• Association for Intelligent information Management AI+IM Summit | March 31- April 2 (Atlanta)
• Microsoft 365 Community Conference | May 5-8, 2025 (Vegas)
• European Collaboration Summit | May 26-28, 2025 (Düsseldorf, Germany)
• TechCon 365 Seattle | June 23-27, 2025 (Seattle)

Production

Polaris is produced with the help of our friends at Riverside.fm. Our theme song, “Alternative Dream” is provided courtesy of Adobe. Additional music and sound provided by IndieGuy Records. Graphic design by Josh Brantley.  Creative inspirations from Mark Kashman.

Chapters

00:00 Opening

01:32 Trends and Data Points

03:06 Introducing Michelle Boyd

05:57 Defining Projects and Their Characteristics

08:31 Project Management vs. Delivery Management

11:49 Project Methodologies - Agile, Waterfall and Hybrid

17:04 The Importance of Kickoff Meetings

19:34 Effective Communication Strategies in Projects

20:15 Tools and Templates for Successful Delivery

21:53 Understanding the RAIDD Log

23:59 Project Rescue: The First Steps

26:16 Common Reasons Projects Go Off Track

27:13 New Technologies in Project Delivery

27:52 The Role of Technology in Project Management

32:06 Delivery Management Success

32:42 A Successful Delivery Case Study

34:55 Cultural Reflections and Personal Insights

35:41 Upcoming Events in Information Management

37:32 Closing